Friday, March 29, 2024

Mutati directs ZRA to extend its tax amnesty to 31st August

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Minister of Finance Felix Mutati.
Minister of Finance Felix Mutati.

Finance Minister Felix Mutati has directed the Zambia Revenue Authority to extend the tax amnesty to 31st August 2017.

The amnesty on interest and penalties which was introduced by the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) on 24th April, 2017, came to a close yesterday on 31st July 2017.

During this period, taxpayers were expected to submit outstanding tax returns and pay all principal tax liabilities for tax periods prior to 1st March 2017, after which all interest and penalties accrued for the said period would be waived in full.

Taxpayers were expected to pay all outstanding principal liabilities within the amnesty period.

In instances where taxpayers have not able to settle the principal liabilities before 31st July 2017, ZRA offered an opportunity of settling such tax liabilities in installments by entering into Time to Pay Agreements (TPAS) with tax payers to be settled before 31st December 2017.

Mr Mutati said, “despite the impressive performance both in terms of the number of applications received as I have seen for myself, and the revenue realised, I have seen the need to extend the amnesty period.”

He said the decision is in the interest of ensuring that the main objective for initiating the amnesty, which was to enable the taxpaying public to clean up their records, is fully realised.

“Notwithstanding this extension, the deadline for time-to-pay agreements remains 31st December, 2017 and all other rules will remain as announced by the commissioner general during the launch of the amnesty campaign on 24th April, 2017,” he said.

“I wish to take this opportunity to encourage members of the public to take full advantage of this extension and not wait for the last minute to put their tax affairs in order. No applications for further extension will be entertained after the expiry of the additional 30 days.”

Mr Mutati has since urged ZRA to ensure that all taxpayers with issues on their tax accounts are attended to before the new deadline, after which enforcement action should be instituted against all taxpayers with liabilities on their accounts.

“In this regard, ZRA is expected to step up its enforcement strategies in order to deal with the post-amnesty period. For example, 40 brand new vehicles have been procured for enforcement which has commenced with immediate effect but will be accelerated after the new deadline of 31st August 2017.”

Mr Mutati added, “I am glad to note that ZRA has also recruited more officers in order to enforce its mandate of revenue collection.”

The Finance Minister has since commended ZRA employees for the diligence and hard work that they continue to exhibit, amidst some operational challenges.

He said this is commendable as it demonstrates patriotism to a noble cause of working to develop this great nation.

“To all the taxpayers out there, especially those that have taken advantage of the amnesty, I once again say to you “job well done”. To those yet to take advantage of the amnesty, you still have time before the new deadline.”

17 COMMENTS

    • It is the right decision.

      Again this is the Governemnt that listens to stakeholders.

      Who are you voting in 2021?

      Thanks

      BB2014,2016

    • Only The Post Newspaper never got amnesty.
      Amnesty, is there no other better term? Just sounds like crime, war or state of emergency. Amnesty international.

    • This extension is a welcome move. The Late Great MCS (MHSRIEP) main campaign slogan was “more money in your pocket” ..this was to be achieved by LOWER TAXES those that remember know this was the back bone on which PF stood and its initial foundation was indeed the issue of taxation!
      The state must find a user friendly way of handling this issue! 30 days may not be enough and why start threatening poor tax payers and telling them you have purchased 40 cars for inspection????How much did each of those cars cost??? Why and how dare one kill the goose that lays the golden egg- that goose is the Zambian tax payer! The mines are owing Now what about the mines and other big companies????

    • @ 1.3 Nostradamus,

      You seem to be new in Zambia.

      Do you know how many tax amnesties the former Post Newspaper enjoyed – starting with Mwanawasa time jumping to Sata time?

      For your own information no company in Zambia has had such multiplicity of tax amnesties as the Post Newspaper.

      What is interesting is that M’membe decided to abuse all those amnesties that overwhelmed him.

      Anyway, you are free to say anything here whether with or without knowledge; it is summed up as ‘freedom of speech’.

    • I saw that coming though i would have loved it to go on upto December. Lets face it. Pentalties and interest is not money to be budgeted on. My point is let them allow everyone to declare what really owes to the govt so that govt can also use that as yardstick to measure how much dometic revenue can contribute next year mu budget…. am a victim and i appreciate. now let me hear someeone ati nge nge nge wat

  1. This person is worthless stupid and damn….you need to resign you fool…you misled the Zambian people by giving us false debt figures… if you Lungu does not fire you Zambia is doomed..,,

  2. @ 1.3 Nostradamus,

    You seem to be new in Zambia.

    Do you know how many tax amnesties the former Post Newspaper enjoyed – starting with Mwanawasa time jumping to Sata time?

    For your own information no company in Zambia has had such multiplicity of tax amnesties as the Post Newspaper.

    What is interesting is that M’membe decided to abuse all those amnesties that overwhelmed him.

    Anyway, you are free to say anything here whether with or without knowledge; it is summed up as ‘freedom of speech’.

  3. Nobody that makes money ?oves Mr taxman. The Beatles had a song about Mr taxman complaining that the more money they made the more he taxed them. Yes I am a taxman.

  4. Nobody that makes money ?oves Mr taxman. The Beatles had a song about Mr taxman complaining that the more money they made the more he taxed them. Yes I am a taxman.

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